Other conditions decisions — 2021

The case is being remanded due to issues related to the credibility of a statement made by the Veteran's VR&E Chief in September 2018. The Veteran will be provided with a copy of this statement and given an opportunity to respond.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cellulitis and abscess of the mouth, as exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune had been conceded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for larynx cancer, permanent tracheostomy, and aphonia. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's laryngeal cancer was related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for uterine fibroids, finding that the condition first manifested during active service and is not due to any incident of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current eye disorder and active duty service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities have been denied.,The Veteran has also had his TDIU based solely on service-connected peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity granted, effective August 31, 2009.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse and nonservice-connected burial benefits due to a lack of continuous cohabitation after their divorce in 1980.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disorder manifested in or related to his service.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to service connection for a neurodegenerative disorder, including multiple system atrophy (MSA), cerebellar ataxia, paralysis of the upper and lower extremities, dysarthria, and urinary incontinence due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but more evidence is needed to determine if it began in service or was aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for insomnia and RSD due to conflicting VA examination opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's attorney asserts that both conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD, but the January 2021 VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's insomnia and service. For RSD, the June 2020 VA examiner concluded there was no relationship with service or fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's character of discharge was upgraded from Other Than Honorable (OTH) to General, removing the bar to VA benefits. The appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of right little finger fracture is denied. The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the ratings and issues related to SMC and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development and examination, specifically regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed vasectomy residuals.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder, attributing it to secondary service connection due to the Veteran's service-connected left chronic epididymitis with bilateral hydroceles and left testicular atrophy. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoporosis of the spine, vascular disease (PVD and related conditions), and gastroparesis due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The appellant's contentions regarding these conditions will be considered in light of new medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a secondary service connection opinion regarding the Veteran's enlarged prostate, which is now service-connected. The case will be returned to the Board after obtaining an appropriate VA medical opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left scrotal abscess with Escherichia coli as there is no evidence of a current disability or any residuals thereof.

The Veteran's character of discharge was upgraded from under other than honorable conditions to under honorable conditions (general) by the Department of the Navy Board of Corrections of Naval Records. As a result, he is no longer barred from receiving VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to TDIU and other claims. The full extent of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is not yet determined, so the issue of TDIU cannot be resolved until these other claims are decided.